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Early Education, Intervention and Diagnostic Services

CADI: Collaborative Autism Diagnosis and Intervention Program

The CADI Program is for children under the age of 5 years. Els for Autism Foundation transdisciplinary CADI team of specialists includes professionals in the areas of special education, speech and language pathology, and applied behavior analysis. Our team of highly skilled professionals provides a comprehensive evaluation and report that is used in the development of treatment goals, as well as aid the family’s licensed medical professional in determining if a formal diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is warranted.

Research has demonstrated that early intervention can improve social, cognitive, language and academic outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Els Autism for Foundation staff has developed a program to:

Increase access to comprehensive assessments for young children who are at risk for ASD or other developmental delays

Provide a report with a well-rounded description of the child’s unique strengths and weaknesses along with individualized recommendations for intervention

Spring Into Action Programs

Early Education Services are designed to support the development of social, communication, play and pre-academic readiness skills for children up to age 5 years 11 months. Plans are developed to target the unique strengths and learning opportunities presented for each child. One-on-one therapy services are provided to each child in an environment that best meets that child’s learning needs.

All services provided through Spring Into Action utilize a transdisciplinary model and incorporate evidence-based practices and family involvement to support skill development and decrease the likelihood of challenging behaviors.

Spring Into Action programs are for children who:

Are at risk for an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis (ASD)

Have received a diagnosis of ASD

Exhibit other developmental and/or communication delays

Do not have a diagnosis and are not at risk of receiving any diagnosis

Spring Into Action Together is a caregiver-implemented early intervention program for children 18 months to 3 years of age. The program is designed to support communication, social engagement, and play skills.

All procedures and interventions utilized by Spring Into Action will be evidenced based. The National Standards Project reviewed the available research for a multitude of interventions and compiled a comprehensive list of the treatments available for individuals with autism. Spring Into Action will only use those treatments that have been characterized as “established” according to the National Standards Report. In order for a treatment to be considered as established it must have been thoroughly researched and have sufficient evidence to confidently state that these treatments are in fact effective for children with autism. The Spring Into Action program will specifically use a Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment for Young Children (CBTYC). This program is an early intervention service for children up to age 5 years 12 months. The key components to CBTYC are:

Intense services based on applied behavior analysis (e.g., the use of discrete trial and incidental teaching, error-less learning, and shaping)

Measurement to assess the effectiveness of the program

Services provided across a variety of settings

Low student-to-teacher ratios

Focus on the core symptoms of autism

Written guidance through treatment manuals and other materials

The Spring Into Action program will incorporate each of these elements into the program to create the most comprehensive early intervention program possible.